Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a United States Department of Defense Delegation headed by Secretary Ashton Carter. The U.S. delegation included State Department and other diplomatic personnel. President Barzani received the delegation with a number of Kurdistan Region officials including Mr. Masrour Barzani, the Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council.

During the meeting President Barzani and Secretary Carter discussed the latest military operations against the terrorists of the Islamic State in Kurdistan, Iraq and other areas in the region. The two also discussed yesterday's terrorists attacks across a number of fronts in the Kurdistan Region. The two also spoke of the upcoming operations, most notably the Musol operation.

Secretary Carter conveyed President Obama's message to President Barzani that the United States will continue to support the Kurdistan Region and that the partnership between the United States and the Kurdistan Region has been further solidified after the start of the terrorists attacks in the Summer of 2014. Secretary Carter stated that in recent communications with other allies, he has asked them for more support for the Peshmerga forces of the Kurdistan Region.

President Barzani on his part expressed his appreciation to the United States government for its military support against the terrorists of the Islamic State and added that that support has indeed been essential to defeating the terrorists.